If any inexpensive efficiency machine has achieved upstart superstar standing lately, it is the GR Corolla. This 2023 Morizo Version is completely ridiculous on paper — an all-wheel drive, 300-horsepower Toyota sizzling hatch with no rear seat and a carbon fiber roof. No, this is not some video game-inspired one-off. It is an actual automotive you should purchase right now, and it is an absolute blast.
On this week’s episode of Autoblog Storage, we stroll round Toyota’s new fanatic machine to offer you a have a look at the entire particulars that make this little monster such a deal with. We have a look at the outside particulars, the objects that had been stripped to take weight out of the inside and the nods Toyota’s engineers made to practicality, together with a completely functioning infotainment suite that’ll assist you get to and out of your favourite monitor in (relative) consolation.
The Morizo Version cranks up the wick on the already-sparking, 300-horsepower GR Corolla. It packs a further 20 pound-feet of torque (for a complete of 295) within the meat of its powerband together with a shorter ultimate drive ratio, permitting it to speed up faster than the usual GR Corolla all all through the rev vary. To scale back its curb weight, Toyota eliminated the GR Corolla’s rear seat, rear window regulators and switches, and rear wiper. This dropped 106 kilos from the load of the more-practical Circuit mannequin. Do not fret, although. There’s nonetheless a cost port within the rear seat, so your iPad can trip again there although your youngsters cannot. You may let certainly one of your ankle-biters trip shotgun if you happen to like; Toyota left a LATCH anchor rearward of the passenger facet for securing a toddler seat. See? It is sensible!
That feels like a joke, nevertheless it’s actually not. Regardless of a good firmer suspension than what is obtainable on the usual GR Corolla, the Morizo Version is not practically as punishing to drive because the efficiency packages provided on its cousins, the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ. Keep on with the usual GR Corolla and it is considerably extra sensible than both, rising to the extent of the Volkswagen Golf R, however giving up a little bit of refinement and poise to the German. Hey, Toyota hasn’t been doing this for the higher a part of three a long time, and in addition to, if you happen to ask me, Toyota comes out forward within the fun-to-drive class right here.
Verify again on Wednesdays for brand new installments of Autoblog Storage.